Hi Everyone
This is my first post on this forum so I will introduce myself in a few words as I can. I flew my first Estes model rocket back in 1964. I have been flying them off and on ever since. I got into R/C airplanes and helicopters for many years. I have reached a point that my physical limitations are making me cut back and so I decided to go with model rockets. I don’t have any interest in kit building anymore and don’t care about high speed or high-altitude flights. So I guess that leaves low and slow and that suits me fine. My plan is to see how big I can safety fly in Class D, Class E, and maybe Class F. Getting them off the launch rod at a safe speed but keeping the altitude 500 feet or less (I like to see the whole flight). From what I have seen looking around on the forum I suspect my type of project is of little interest to most but I want to try it anyway.
The first thing I would like to know in how accurate is the data generated by OpenRocket . My first design I weighted each and every component and entered to correct weights in the program. My overall weight is a match and the CG is the same on both the rocket and the plan. So can I trust the data to be reasonably correct?
Next, I can only assume that the ejection charge in these motors are only good to have reliable ejection on a given volume. I have calculated the volume in my 1/100 scale Saturn V knowing it works with a D12-3 and have use that as a guide but know there has to be a better way. I know the answer is not simple so if I could be directed to some sites that will explain ways to figure out if I have enough ejection charge for recovery it would be a start.
I don’t consider myself a beginner in model rocketry itself but will admit to this is my first attempt at design and scratch building.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Steve
This is my first post on this forum so I will introduce myself in a few words as I can. I flew my first Estes model rocket back in 1964. I have been flying them off and on ever since. I got into R/C airplanes and helicopters for many years. I have reached a point that my physical limitations are making me cut back and so I decided to go with model rockets. I don’t have any interest in kit building anymore and don’t care about high speed or high-altitude flights. So I guess that leaves low and slow and that suits me fine. My plan is to see how big I can safety fly in Class D, Class E, and maybe Class F. Getting them off the launch rod at a safe speed but keeping the altitude 500 feet or less (I like to see the whole flight). From what I have seen looking around on the forum I suspect my type of project is of little interest to most but I want to try it anyway.
The first thing I would like to know in how accurate is the data generated by OpenRocket . My first design I weighted each and every component and entered to correct weights in the program. My overall weight is a match and the CG is the same on both the rocket and the plan. So can I trust the data to be reasonably correct?
Next, I can only assume that the ejection charge in these motors are only good to have reliable ejection on a given volume. I have calculated the volume in my 1/100 scale Saturn V knowing it works with a D12-3 and have use that as a guide but know there has to be a better way. I know the answer is not simple so if I could be directed to some sites that will explain ways to figure out if I have enough ejection charge for recovery it would be a start.
I don’t consider myself a beginner in model rocketry itself but will admit to this is my first attempt at design and scratch building.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Steve